Glassworks Sunderland | Sunderland Culture

Glassworks: Sunderland will be a new world-class facility for people to create in glass and ceramics. In 2025, Sunderland Culture was awarded £5M from the DCMS Cultural Development Fund, administered by Arts Council England. The project will transform the former Peter Smith Antiques building into a vibrant hub for glassmaking, ceramics and creative production, providing specialist facilities, workspace, learning opportunities and business support for makers and creative enterprises.

Across 2025-26, we worked with a specialist design team to produce a new design for the building. Developed with artists, makers and creative businesses playing a central role in shaping the proposals. Their involvement has helped ensure the project responds directly to the needs of Sunderland’s creative community while building on the city’s internationally recognised glassmaking heritage.

Supporting the Sunniside Place Strategy, Glassworks will be a catalyst for regeneration and an anchor business in the city, supporting business growth and creating opportunities for people to learn, make and develop new skills. Glassworks is set to be open to the public in 2028.